Host a Marriage Blessing Ceremony on the weekend of February 25, 2017

We are pleased to invite communities across America to participate in a nationwide opportunity to host a Marriage Blessing Ceremony on the weekend of February 25, 2017. This would be the first in a series of Marriage Blessing Ceremonies across the country.

The Marriage Blessing Movement is an initiative to extend True Parents’ Marriage Blessing to more couples and families throughout America. By participating in a public Marriage Blessing Ceremony, held in conjunction with ceremonies across the country, we can make a statement affirming the value of the Marriage Blessing and Blessed Families. These ceremonies will kick off the Marriage Blessing Movement in America for 2017!

Vision for the Marriage Blessing Movement in 2017

True Mother spoke the following words during the 2015 Foundation Day Blessing Ceremony:

“The Marriage Blessing will hold no meaning if you allow your blessing to extend only to your family, while living in this age of True Parents. Do you understand? Blessed families must fulfill their responsibility. The Marriage Blessing should not remain within or end up as a blessing that extends only to your family. You must reveal to your neighbors, your tribe, and your nation that True Parents are the true owners.” - True Mother

Through receiving the Marriage Blessing, we hope friends and family of our faith community can have their marriages strengthened and renewed with God’s love and grace. It is True Parents’ desire that all the people of the world receive the Marriage Blessing and become Blessed Central Families and Tribal Messiahs and, centered on God, practice true love in their relationships. However, they need our help to make this possible.

True Mother has given her support for certified Blessing Officiators to bestow the Marriage Blessing at any time of the year for married couples. In addition to this nationwide opportunity, we are inviting a community-wide effort to invite couples to receive the Marriage Blessing on specified dates every two months in 2017.

The 2017 nationwide Marriage Blessing Movement opportunities are:  The weekend of February 25  The weekend of April 29  The weekend of June 24  The weekend of August 26  The weekend of October 28  The weekend of December 16 Dates can be flexible depending on community preferences.

Although participation in a ceremony scheduled by the Marriage Blessing Movement is not mandatory, and married couples may choose to have a ceremony anytime throughout the year, there are advantages to taking part in a public gathering. Some of the benefits of a scheduled nationwide ceremony as part of a Marriage Blessing Movement are: O N E F A M I L Y U N D E R G O D

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1. An opportunity to join a national effort to Bless America. A public gathering makes a statement affirming the value of the Marriage Blessing and Blessed Families, giving your ceremony additional meaning. 2. Registered communities can display and promote their ceremony on an Interactive Map. 3. With a public event, more support and resources might be available to make the special day even more special. Communities receive access to constant support from the BFM, promotional materials, Blessing Ceremony Kit, and other resources. 4. Some have expressed that it is exciting to invite couples to participate in a nationwide movement. Holding these ceremonies at pre-scheduled times around the county can give our Tribal Messiahs a focus in their outreach, having a specific program to invite their guests. 5. To read about the national Marriage Blessing Ceremonies that took place previously, please click here.

All matched couples will have the opportunity to participate in the Cosmic Blessing Ceremony officiated by True Parents that will take place in conjunction with the 5th Anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa. More details are forthcoming.

Hosting a Marriage Blessing Ceremony

All communities are invited to host a Marriage Blessing Ceremony (regardless of size or number of participating couples) by: a) Signing up your community online b) Securing a certified Blessing Officiators couple and c) Registering the participating couples online If your community is interested in hosting a ceremony locally, please sign up here to receive more info.

Participation in the Marriage Blessing Ceremony

The most important preparation a couple can make is internal. It is essential that couples receiving the Marriage Blessing understand the basic meaning of the Marriage Blessing and the mission of True Parents. Couples that are committed to completing the five steps to change their blood lineage and participate in the Marriage Blessing Ceremony need to register online at BlessingAmerica.org.

We invite you to contribute to the success of this Marriage Blessing Movement in 2017, and wish you the very best as you prepare for the upcoming Marriage Blessing Ceremony and future ceremonies. May Heaven’s blessings be with you and your communities!

We look forward to supporting you to give the Marriage Blessing to your friends, neighbors, relatives, and community members throughout America. Please feel free to contact our national BFM team at bfmadmin@unification.org or 212-997-0055 with any questions.

Dr. Michael Balcomb Mr. Steve Honey President Interim Director, National BFM

O N E F A M I L Y U N D E R G O D

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